The International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) working in north-east Syria warn that movement restrictions and insecurity have led to the suspension of critical services for more than 24,000 people, including nearly 15,000 children in Al Hol camp in Al-Hasakeh governorate.
Humanitarian access remains severely constrained due to ongoing insecurity in the surrounding area, and for several days, there has been virtually no independent verification of conditions inside the camp, or a clear picture of the safety and wellbeing of its population.
Al-Hol is home to some of the most vulnerable and aid-dependent people across Syria, with women and children making up to 95% of the camp’s population. Families are entirely dependent on humanitarian aid, water and food, and any prolonged disruption to life-saving services puts lives at risk.
Without urgent steps to restore safe access, residents face escalating dangers and risks to their safety, wellbeing, as essential services that help prevent violence, exploitation, and abuse become harder to reach. In periods of instability, children are most at risk of harm with protection presence and services interrupted.
Families in Al-Hol have endured years of displacement, trauma and restricted movement. Children in these settings must be protected in line with international humanitarian and human rights standards and treated first and foremost as victims. Access and life-saving assistance must not be impeded.
We urge authorities to ensure immediate, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to Al Hol, including the resumption of critical services, and to guarantee the safety of humanitarian personnel and facilities. Any further delays place lives at risk. At the same time, the international community must intensify coordinated action to deliver durable solutions, including accelerated repatriation and integration of third-country nationals, alongside safe, right-based pathways for Syrian and Iraqi children and their families.
Our organisations, along with national NGO partners, remain committed to delivering principled humanitarian assistance and stand ready to resume full operations as soon as access and security conditions permit.
Notes to editors:
- Al-Hol camp in north-east Syria hosts 26,500 people, including Syrians, Iraqis, and foreign nationals most of whom are women and children.
- Iraq accelerated repatriation of Iraqi nationals in Hol in 2025 marking the most substantial population reduction to date.
- Today, there are approximately 14,000 Syrians in the camp, 6,200 third country nationals and 4,000 Iraqis. Approximately 60% of them are children.
- Hundreds of children including many removed from the camps, have also been held in linked detention facilities, including some described as “rehabilitation” centres.
- For years, NGOs have called on states to repatriate their nationals and ensure safe, dignified and voluntary returns in line with international law.
- On 21 January, Al-Hol was designated a restricted security zone due to escalating conflict across north-east Syria.
For information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
- NRC's global media hotline: media@nrc.no